WO2003059754A2 - Mountable container for liquids and powders, and methods of forming and distributing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (20), such as of the plastic variety used for distributing household products, i.e. cleaning liquids or powders, is mountable on a flat vertical surface (26) by way of an attached or attachable hook protruding on a face of the container and substantially away from the top (12) or the bottom (16) of the container (20). A method of distributing attachable hooks and/or lhook recievers for such containers are further disclosed.

Description

MOUNTABLE CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS AND POWDERS, AND METHODS OF FORMING AND DISTRIBUTING THE SAME

Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.

60/347,355 entitled "Mountable Container for Liquids and Powders, and Methods of Forming and Distributing the Same" filed in the name of Sam Pimpinella on January 11, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a support attached to an article for supporting the article on a structure wherein the support remains with the article when the article is removed from the structure and, more particularly, to a support comprising a hook or loop attached or attachable to the article and serving to mount, secure, or attach the article on or to the structure.

Background of the Invention

Diverse products are commonly distributed and sold in plastic or metal containers of various sizes. Such containers may be used to store and dispense, for example, household and automotive products, such as liquid soaps, shampoos, powder and liquid detergents, motor oil, transmission fluid, and the like. These containers are also commonly used for storing drink products of various consistencies. In order to allow them to be readily stored on a flat horizontal surface, such as a shelf or countertop, such containers usually have a substantially flat bottom. These containers usually have a top for dispensing the contents of the container. Various problems have arisen with containers of the type mentioned above. For example, shelf space in household environments is limited. Accordingly, only a threshold amounts of containers can be stored at a time. Also, because of the typical size of such containers, only certain numbers of such containers may be carried by hand. Furthermore, in the case where the container holds a beverage or the like, such containers are difficult to manage in certain environments, such as while driving a car.

Various solutions to the above problems have been proposed. For example, certain subcategories of these containers, namely mountable containers, have a hooks, straps, loops and the like for mounting the container on a rod, an article of clothing, and a substantially flat, vertical surface, respectively. These mountable containers free up limited shelf space or allow the container to be readily transportable. Certain configurations of mountable containers are depicted FIGS. 1-3 of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a container 1 has a top 12, a neck 14, a bottom 16, a side surface 18 and a mounting loop 19a. The mounting loop 19a, in this configuration, may be attached to the top 12 and/or the neck 14. The mounting loop 19a allows the container 1 to be hung from a hook or a rod which mates with the mounting loop 19a in a manner well known in the art. In this configuration, the container 1 is easily mountable on a flat vertical surface, such as a wall. However, since the container 1 is supported form the top 12 or neck 14, well above the container's center of gravity, this type of mountable container, even when properly mated, is not always securely mounted on the surface, especially when the container is displaced with a significant lateral force.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second configuration of mountable containers 2 has a hook, such as curved hook 19b, for mating with a rod or the like. Such containers 2 are most readily mounted from a rod supported between two opposing, vertical surfaces. The curved hook 19b may protrude from the top 12 or the neck 14.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a third configuration of mountable container 3 has a strap or protruding hook 19c attached to the container 3 at the junction of the top 12 and the neck 14. The strap or protruding arm 19c are best suited for mating with, in the case of the strap, an article of clothing, such as a belt loop, or, in the case of a protruding arm, a receiver for securing the protruding arm. Because of the positioning of the strap or protruding arm 19c, this configuration of mountable container 3 is susceptible to the same instability as containers 1 when displaced by a significant lateral force. Furthermore, because substantially all of the weight of the container and its contents is supported by the strap or protruding arm 19c, these mounting mechanisms 19c are susceptible to being broken from its engagement with the container 3 when, for example, too much weight is being supported.

It would therefore be beneficial to introduce a mountable container that overcomes various of the above-identified problems with existing mountable containers.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to introduce a mountable container that is supported from a side surface of the container. Such side-mounted containers may include a permanent or attachable mounting mechanism, such as a hook with a flat or curved arm, that extends substantially in a direction of the side surface with a small displacement therefrom. The mounting mechanism may engage a rod or a hook receiver protruding from a flat, vertical surface, such as a wall. The mounting mechanism may also be used to mount the container on a variety of objects other than a wall, such as an article of clothing. If the contents of the container are labeled, the mounting mechanism may be placed substantially opposite the position of the label on the side surface. In such manner, the mountable container may be supported substantially flush with the vertical surface with the label prominently displayed. The hook may be mounted at a lateral position on the side surface substantially near a center of gravity of the container and its contents, in order to more securely mount the container to the flat, vertical surface.

In the case of attachable hooks, the hook and/or a hook receiver may be distributed with side-mounted containers. Hook receivers may be attached to the wall by an adhesive or other securing means, such as a nail or screw. The container may be marked with a position that is appropriate for receiving the attachable hook.

It is readily contemplated that the present invention may be used with containers of various sizes and weights, with the strength of the hook and hook receiver being of appropriate strength. The position of the center of gravity along the side surface may be measured based on the container with or without its contents. Furthermore, the containers are contemplated to be useful for storing and/or dispensing any appropriate product in liquid, solid or gaseous form.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further aspects of the present invention will be more readily appreciated upon review of the detailed description of its embodiments included below when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGS. 1-3 are depictions of mountable containers of the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mountable container of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a side view of the mountable container of FIG. 4 mounted on a substantially flat vertical surface according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second mountable container with opposing hooks according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for distributing mountable containers and hook receivers according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, wherein similar components of the present invention are referenced in like manner, various embodiments of a side-mounted container, and methods of forming and distributing the same are disclosed.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is depicted a side-mounted container 20 having a top 12, a neck 14, a bottom 16 and a side surface 18. The container may be appropriate for holding and dispensing a liquid, an oil, a powder or other type of appropriate substance, including (i) a household product, such as liquid soap, detergents, and shampoos, (ii) a drinkable liquid, and (iii) automotive products, such as motor oil.

The top 12 may include a spout or other dispensing means known in the art for dispensing the contents of the container 20. The top 12 is further attached to a neck 14, which may be a flat or curved surface. The neck 14 is disposed between the top 12 and a side surface 18.

The side surface 18 is continuous and may be formed in a substantially cylindrical or ovaloid shape as shown. However, it is contemplated that the side surface 18 may be provided in any shape, such as a rectangular or squared shape. The side surface 18 is disposed between the neck 14 and a bottom 16. The bottom 16 may be substantially flat so that the container 20 may securely rest on a flat, horizontal surface.

The container 20 further has a hook 22 mounted on the side surface 18. The hook 22, in certain embodiments, may include a supporting arm 22a secured on one end to the side surface 18. The hook 22 further includes a hooking arm 22b disposed on an opposite end of the supporting arm 22a from the side surface 18.

The hooking arm 22b may be a substantially flat arm that runs substantially parallel to the side surface at an angle substantially perpendicular to the supporting arm 22a, as shown in FIG. 4. The hooking arm 22b may run in a direction away from the top 12 of the container 20, as shown in FIG. 4. In another embodiment, the hook arm 22b may run in a direction towards the top 12 from the supporting arm 22a. In a further embodiment, the hooking arm 22b may be rotatably mounted on the end of the supporting arm 22a so that it can be positioned in any appropriate direction from the supporting arm 22a.

In either embodiment, the hooking arm 22b may be run parallel to a center axis of the container 20. Furthermore, in either embodiment, the hooking arm 22b may be displaced from the side surface 18, thereby leaving a gap between the hooking arm 22b and the side surface 18. This gap allows the hook 22 to releasably engage with a hook receiver 24, as described further below. In alternate embodiments, the hooking arm 22 may be curved, rather than flat, or may have both flat and curved portions.

It is contemplated that the gap be as small as possible, such as one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch, such that when the hook 22 and hook receiver 24 are engaged, the container 20 is secured and releasably mounted on a substantially flat, vertical surface 26, and substantially flush with the surface 26, as shown in FIG. 5 and described further below.

In a case where the hooking arm 22a runs substantially in the direction of the top 12, the container 20 may be mounted on the flat, vertical surface 26 with the top 12 facing down, so that the container 20 may selectively dispense its contents while mounted. In a further case where the hooking arm 22a runs substantially in the direction of the bottom 16, the container 20 may be mounted with the top 12 facing up (as shown in FIG. 5), so that the container 20 may store its contents while mounted, and must be removed to dispense its contents. The hook 22 may be permanently affixed to the container 20 at the side surface

18. It is contemplated that, in such case, the container 20 may be formed with the hook 22 during its manufacture. It is further contemplated, however, that the hook 20 may be provided separately from the container 20. In this latter case, the hook 22 may have a base disposed between the supporting arm 22a and the side surface 18. The base, in turn may have an adhesive, such as adhesive tape, glue or the like for securing the hook 22 to the side surface 18 of the container 20. In certain embodiments involving an attachable hook 22, the container 20 may be marked on the side surface 18 with a preferred location for placing the hook 22.

In still further embodiments where the container has a label on the side surface 18, bearing, for example, the name of the contents of the container 20, the marked location may be placed on an opposing side of the side surface 18 from the label, thereby allowing the label to be prominently displayed when the container 20 is mounted of the flat, vertical surface 26.

The hook 22 can be mounted on various positions on the side surface 18. In one embodiment, the hook 22 may be attached at a lateral position on the side surface that is substantially aligned with the location of the center of gravity of the container 22. This allows for superior support in mounting the container 20 on the flat vertical surface 26 and superior resistance to displacement by a lateral force when mounted. However, the hook 22 may be functionally attached in other positions on the side surface, such as between the neck 14 and the position of the center of gravity, or between the bottom 16 and the position of the center of gravity.

The hook receiver 24 is attached in a secure manner to the flat, vertical surface 26. The hook receiver may be attached by an adhesive or a glue, or alternatively, may be secured by a nail, a screw or the like. The hook receiver 24 may have a supporting arm and a hooking arm disposed peφendicular to one another as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In such a case, the supporting arm may have an aperture therethrough for receiving the hooking arm 22b of the container 20. In further embodiments, the hook receiver 24 may be a rod, a lipped groove, or the like for engaging the hook 22. In the case of rods or the like, such hook receivers 24 may include supports at opposing ends thereof for attachment to the flat, vertical surface 26.

Turning now to FIG. 5, therein is displayed the hook 22 of the container 20 engaged with the hook receiver 24 in order to securely and releasably mount the container 20 on the flat, vertical surface 26. The hook 22 of the container 20 may be in positioned such that the top 12 of the container 20 points up (as shown) or down. The hook 22 and hook receiver 24 may be formed so that the container 20 is substantially flush with the flat, vertical surface 26 when mounted. The mounting of the container 20 may leave a gap between the side surface 18 and the flat, vertical surface 26. Alternatively, the hook 22 and the hook receiver 24 may be formed such that when engaged together, a portion of the container 20 rests against the flat, vertical surface 26, thereby being partially supported thereby. Referring now to FIG. 6, the container 20 may further have two hooks 22, 23 positioned on the side surface 18 in opposing directions so that the container 20 may be selectively mounted with the top 12 pointing up or down, as desired. The hook 23 may have any configuration described for hook 22 above. The hooks 22 and 23 may be of the same configuration (as shown) or may be provided in dissimilar configurations. The container 20 may be of any suitable material known in the art. Most commonly, a container 20 may be made of a metal, such as tin, or of a plastic or poly- vinyl-chloride material. In the former case, the container 20 may be formed integrally with the hook 22 during known casting processes for forming such metal containers. In the latter case, the container 20 may be formed using known plastic molding processes. As an example, molds are commonly formed to receive molten plastic that cools to form one half of a plastic container. Two halves of a container so formed are then bonded together. In order to form a container 20 having the hook 22, current molds may be adapted to form an integrated hook on the side surface of the resulting container. Likewise, hook receivers 22 may be formed of metal and/or plastic. The manufacture of such hook receivers 24 may be consistent with known plastic molding or metal casting methods.

Side-mounted containers 20 of the present invention are contemplated to have a competitive advantage over non-mountable containers in that they allow customers to free up limited shelf space for storing such containers. Accordingly, in the case where the hook 22 is separate and attachable to the container 20, it would be advantageous to package and distribute hooks 22 with the containers 20 to customers. It would be further advantageous to package and distribute hook receivers 24 with the container 20.

A general manufacturing and distribution process 50 is depicted in FIG. 7. The process 50 begins with the manufacture of the container 20 with an affixed or attachable hook 22, described immediately above (step 52). Hook receivers 24 may also be manufactured in like manner (step 54).

Containers 20 may then be packaged with the hooks 22 and/or the hook receivers

24 (step 56). In certain embodiments, the containers may be filled with a dispensable substance prior to or during the packaging step 56. Furthermore, a label may disposed on the side surface 18 of the container 20 at a position opposite the hook 22. In an embodiment involving separate attachable hooks 22, the container 20 may be marked on the side surface 18 with a preferred location for the hook 22 during the packaging step

56. The packages are then distributed for purchase by customers (step 58), after which the process 50 ends.

Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments, it is to be understood that the descriptions have been provided for puφoses of illustration only and that other variations both in form and detail can be made thereupon by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising a top, a neck, a bottom and a side surface, the container further including: a hook disposed on a side surface for releasably engaging with a hook receiver.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed between the neck and the bottom on the side surface.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface near a lateral position of the container's center of gravity.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface between the neck and a lateral position of the container's center of gravity.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface between the bottom and a lateral position of the container's center of gravity.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface between a lateral position of the container's center of gravity and the neck, closer to the lateral position.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface between the bottom and a lateral position of the container's center of gravity of the container, closer to the lateral position.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed with the hook.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is attachable to the container.

10. The container of claim 9, the hook is attachable to the container by an adhesive.

11. The container of claim 1 , wherein the hook comprises: a supporting arm attached to the container at a first end; and a hooking arm disposed at a second end of the supporting arm, peφendicular to a position of the supporting arm.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook comprises: a supporting arm attached to the container at a first end; and a hooking arm disposed at a second end of the supporting arm, the hooking arm including a curved arm.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook comprises. a loop for releasably engaging a hook mounted on a flat, vertical surface.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a plastic.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the container is formed from a plastic molding process in which the hook is integrally formed with the container.

16. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a metal alloy.

17. The container of claim 1, further comprising: a hook receiver for receiving the hook.

18. The container of claim 17, the hook receiver including an aperture for receiving an arm of the hook.

19. The container of claim 17, the hook receiver comprising a support having a surface facing away from the container, the surface for engaging a flat vertical surface to secure the container thereto when the hook and the hook receiver are engaged.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein the surface includes an adhesive for adhesively securing the container to the flat vertical surface.

21. The container of claim 19, wherein the surface includes at least one opening therethrough for receiving at least of: a nail and a screw, by which the container is securely mounted on the flat vertical surface.

22. The container of claim 19, wherein the hook receiver comprises a rack having at least one support and an arm for engaging the hook.

23. The container of claim 1 , fiirther comprising: a top for dispensing at least one of: a liquid, an oil and a powder.

24. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is substantially cylindrical.

25. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is substantially rectangular.

26. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is substantially ovaloid.

27. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is for holding and dispensing at least one of: a liquid, an oil, and a powder.

28. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook for releasably engaging with a hook receiver mounted on a substantially flat vertical surface, whereby when the hook is engaged with the hook receiver, the mountable container is substantially flush with the flat, vertical surface.

29. The container of claim 1, wherein when the hook is engaged with a hook receiver mounted on a flat, vertical surface, the container is mounted substantially flush with the flat, vertical surface.

30. The container of claim 1, comprising two hooks.

31. The container of claim 30, wherein the hooks are disposed in opposing directions from each other.

32. A method for manufacturing a mountable container, comprising: forming a molding for a container including a top, a neck, a bottom and a side surface; and forming the molding to include a hook disposed on the side surface.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the hook formed by the molding comprises: a supporting arm attached to the container at a first end; and a hooking arm disposed at a second end of the supporting arm, the hooking arm further comprising at least one of an arm disposed peφendicular to a position of the supporting arm, an arm having a curved shape, and a loop for releasably engaging a hook mounted on a flat, vertical surface.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the container resulting from the molding comprises a shape including at least one of: cylindrical, rectangular and ovaloid.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the container resulting from the molding includes a hook disposed on the side surface between the neck and the bottom.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising: forming a container from the molding using a plastic.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising: attaching a label on the side surface at a position on the container substantially opposite the hook.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising: distributing the container having the label to a retailer.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising: selling the container to a customer.

40. The method of claim 36, fiirther comprising: storing within the container at least one of: an oil, a liquid, and a powder.

41. A method for forming a mountable container having a top, a neck, a side surface and a bottom, comprising: selecting a position on a side surface of a container; and attaching a hooking arm having a support at the position.

42. The method of claim 41, further wherein said attaching further comprises: adhesively attaching the support to the position.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the position is substantially between a neck and a bottom of the container.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the position is marked on the container.

45. The method of claim 41, further comprising: engaging the hooking arm with a hook receiver mounted on a flat, vertical surface.

46. A method for securing a mountable container to a flat vertical surface, comprising: providing a hook receiver on a flat, vertical surface; and engaging a hook of a container with the hook receiver, the hook positioned on a side surface of a container between a neck and a bottom of the container.

47. A method for securing a mountable container to a flat vertical surface, comprising: providing a hook receiver on a flat, vertical surface; and engaging a hook of a container with the hook receiver, the hook positioned on a side surface of a container at a lateral position substantially near a lateral position of a center of gravity of the container.

48. A method for distributing a hook with a container, comprising: packaging a container with a hook positioned on a side surface thereof; and providing the container for sale to a purchaser.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising: packaging a hook receiver with the container.

50. A method for distributing a mountable container, comprising: packaging a container with an attachable hook having an adhesive surface, the attachable hook for attaching to a side surface of the container between a neck and a bottom of the container; and providing the container for sale to a customer.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising: packaging a hook receiver with the container.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the container further comprises a marked location for placing the attachable hook.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the marked location is substantially opposite a location of a label of the container.